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The Empusae was the malicious daughters of Hecate, who could change form and came up from Hades ( the underworld ) at night as beautiful women. They would seduce shepherds in the film and then they devour them.







Aristophanes, Frogs 288 ff (trans. O'Neill) (Greek comedy C5th to 4th B.C.) :

"[Comedy-Play in which the god Dionysos travels to the Underworld. He and his slave Xanthias have just crossed the lake of Akheron when they encounter an Empousa amongst the guardian-monsters of Haides :]

Xanthias : We'd best be moving on. This is the spot where Herakles declared those savage monsters dwell . . . Hallo! I hear a noise.

Dionysos : Where? what?

Xanthias : Behind us, there.

Dionysos : Get you behind.

Xanthias : No, it's in front.

Dionysos : Get you in front directly.

Xanthias : And now I see the most ferocious monster.

Dionysos : O, what's it like?

Xanthias : Like everything by turns. Now it's a bull: now it's a mule: and now the loveliest girl.

Dionysos : O, where? I'll go and meet her.

Xanthias : It's ceased to be a girl: it's a dog now.

Dionysos : It is Empousa!

Xanthias : Well, its face is all ablaze with fire.

Dionysos : Has it a copper leg?

Xanthias : A copper leg? yes, one; and one of cow dung.

Dionysos : O, whither shall I flee?

Xanthias : O, whither I?

Dionysos : My priest, protect me, and we'll sup together.

Xanthias : King Herakles [Dionysos is dressed up as Herakles], we're done for.

Dionysos : O, forbear, Good fellow, call me anything but that.

Xanthias : Well then, Dionysos.

Dionysos : O, that's worse again,

Xanthias (to the Spectre) : Aye, go thy way. O master, here, come here.

Dionysos : O, what's up now?

Xanthias : Take courage; all's serene. And, like Hegelokhos, we now may say `Out of the storm there comes a new weather.' Empousa's gone.

Dionysos : Swear it.

Xanthias : By Zeus she is.

Dionysos : Swear it again.

Xanthias : By Zeus.

Dionysos : Again.

Xanthias : By Zeus. O dear, O dear, how pale I grew to see her, but he, from fright has yellowed me all over."